Referee Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi will be the first woman to ever direct a Serie A game. The 32-year-old has been scheduled to referee the Sassuolo – Salernitana game this coming Sunday at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.
Her top-flight debut was rumored to be in the pipeline since long. It was bound to take place before the World Cup break but it has now been anticipated by a few weeks since Ferrieri Caputi was called to referee in the upcoming Women’s U-17 World Cup in India.
The president of the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) Alfredo Trentalange – a former Serie A referee himself – commented on the historical decision, as relayed by the Gazzetta dello Sport:
“This is not an ordinary day and I am even excited. Maria Sole will debut in Serie A due to merit, without shortcuts, due to her skills, and because of a project that we launched as AIA (…) We are about to live a historical moment after more than 110 years. We thank those who believed in her – therefore the FIFA – and those who did it before them, like Rosetti and the UEFA. We are not granting any privileges, Maria Sole gained this path, and this is a success for all our movement.”
Born in Livorno, Ferrieri Caputi has already featured in 32 Serie C games, 3 Serie B games and directed the Sampdoria – Reggina Coppa Italia matchup on August 5. He also served as fourth official during the Monza – Udinese game in Serie A matchday 3.
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